That is a valid reason, if there is someone else available who will do as good a job.

I have to partially agree with. Pace and the others of past were all good leaders that did their job called during their time.

We cannot allow the illusion that Petreaus is a miracle worker who would if in charge gotten the same results some 4 years ago. It it just not true and will run the danger of setting bad presidents that future leaders will interpret as continuous leadership changes in the middle of conflict will garner a miracle (many a dictator can be looked to how this mentality is a recipe of failure/defeat).

The Petreaus plan did bring the final fatal blow but don’t be deceived that the 4 yrs of grinding insurgency warfare did not set the field for that fatal blow. Insurgencies are based allot on moral and hope both in our forces to hold heart and our enemy will to continue (why many of us have harped so hard on the media and Bush’s lack of rally ability).

Before Petraeus there was 4 years of war that taught our enemy lesson after lesson.
1. They could not face US troops straight up
2. They could not face US convoys straight up
3. IED’s while at first effective against US troops/convoys were overcome with tactics, counter action, and Military Professionalism of the US soldier
4. They could not face IA troops straight up
5. Years of killing civilians just to get a spot on the morning doom and gloom news of the infidels while good at degrading US gen pop moral (with ME collusion)showed the common Iraqi and Arab Muslim in general the true face of terrorism and its evils.

6. Contrary to what Hollywood portrayed(every fourth American male was not gay and the others were not degenerate criminals). Contrary to what the ME told them (doom gloom the US gen pop will Vietnam this war anytime now maybe today). They were forced to learn that the majority of American gen pop were good red blooded working people who loved their nation and were not willing to lose a war just because it was not easy.
7. THEY COULD NOT OUTLAST THE AMERICAN PEOPLES WILL

These lessons set the table for Petraues to implement his plan that flipped the dissolutioned, killed the hardcores, and with the troop increase hit on multiple fronts at once to cause a fatality by rapid multiple strikes.

Stay the Course may have been cheesy and a half hearted inept attempt to rally the people by a pres but it short it made the Petraeus plan possible.

joewm315 on July 8, 2008 at 9:27 PM

Yes. . They are all great men Tommy Franks. Rumsfelt,
Pace and so many more. Can’t say enough good things
about them. GW and company didn’t do too bad either.
Give-em a break . No one else will

God bless our troops,General Petraeus,and President Bush.

(Gotta CHANGE quick when your Messianic predictions of doom utterly fail.)

Squid Shark on July 8, 2008 at 8:51 PM

So was Peter Pace, who was deemed too controversial for his connection to the war he was appointed to be in charge of. The administration decided the re-confirmation process would be too ugly.

October 26 2006 at 07:53AM

Former United Nations chief weapons inspector Hans Blix on Wednesday described the United States-led invasion of Iraq as a “pure failure” that had left the country worse off than under the rule of Saddam Hussein.

In unusually harsh comments to Danish newspaper Politiken, the diplomatic Swede said the US government had ended up in a situation in which neither staying nor leaving Iraq were good options.

“Iraq is a pure failure,” Blix was quoted as saying. “If the Americans pull out, there is a risk that they will leave a country in civil war. At the same time, it doesn’t seem that the United States can help to stabilise the situation by staying there.”

Actually I agree with both Ace and Mickey Kaus. I think they are right in pointing out that a more stable Iraq actually favors Obama rather than McCain. Ironic, bearing history in mind, but I have to agree.

joewm315 on July 8, 2008 at 8:32 PM

ADM Mullen was an outstanding choice, he was one of the best CNO’s we have had in 20 years. He is sharp, incisive and tactical in his approaches. Good man.

Don’t ever become a political liability, Admiral, or you’ll be railroaded too.

Actually,the RNC should make this as a
re-election vid,all kinds of gold to go
after the Dems! Just a thought!

Opening scene,Saddams goons running amuck
before Iraqs liberation,”Here’s the Liberal
solution to Iraq”!

Then,showing parts of the vid above,and others,

“And this is the results from Republican’s”

Judgement to lead … us right into defeat.